NEWS: Workin’ Man Noise Unit @ Head Of Steam

Filthy sludgerock is the order of the day thanks to Box Records’ forthcoming gig

By Lee Fisher
on Friday, July 22nd, 2016

Image: Workin’ Man Noise Unit and tour mates Lower Slaughter

Everybody knows being a gig promoter is a thankless, dispiriting task so presumably Matt Baty from Box Records was on all the jagerbombs when he decided to give it a go. But with a bill as strong as this, how can he fail? The truly wonderful Workin’ Man Noise Unit released their debut album Play Loud on the mighty Riot Season label late last year, and at the time I described it as“filthy sludgerock with some electronic touches that sound integral rather than cursory, a way with a chorus that recalls everyone from Fugazi to Mission Of Burma, and a pleasingly fuck you attitude throughout”, and I’ve yet to change my mind. Apparently their last Newcastle gig was a little special too.

Also playing Head of Steam on Saturday 30th July are Brighton’s Lower Slaughter, who were one of the highlights of last year’s Supernormal Festival, winning a lot of new fans and making a lot of people grin at their gloriously lurching noise. They’ve since lost vocalist Max but brought in Sinead from Divorce to widespread approval. Finishing up the bill are local heroes Haikai No Ku, whose dark psychedelic noise is always a treat live. One not to be missed.